Are Okaloosa schools on top or slipping? (DOCUMENTS)

Published: Friday, August 15, 2014 at 03:35 PM.

The community is abuzz with an ongoing debate between the current superintendent of Okaloosa County Schools and a former one.

For nearly two months Superintendent Mary Beth Jackson and Senate President Don Gaetz have gone back and forth over the school district’s performance on standardized tests and in career/technical education.

Both Jackson and Gaetz contend they aren’t out to undermine anyone, but neither hesitates to point out flaws in the other’s argument.

The debate went public June 25 after Gaetz told two local business associations Okaloosa County was “slipping to the middle of the pack in actually producing industry certification and students who are qualified.”

Jackson wasted no time defending her district’s performance and it has resulted in a flurry of documents and back and forth emails.

The disagreement surged to the next level earlier this month after school board candidates requested copies of the email exchanges and publically criticized the district’s performance.

Keen public interest in the issue prompted the Daily News to speak with Jackson and Gaetz, allowing each to share their perspective.

The community is abuzz with an ongoing debate between the current superintendent of Okaloosa County Schools and a former one.

For nearly two months Superintendent Mary Beth Jackson and Senate President Don Gaetz have gone back and forth over the school district’s performance on standardized tests and in career/technical education.

Both Jackson and Gaetz contend they aren’t out to undermine anyone, but neither hesitates to point out flaws in the other’s argument.

The debate went public June 25 after Gaetz told two local business associations Okaloosa County was “slipping to the middle of the pack in actually producing industry certification and students who are qualified.”

Jackson wasted no time defending her district’s performance and it has resulted in a flurry of documents and back and forth emails.

The disagreement surged to the next level earlier this month after school board candidates requested copies of the email exchanges and publically criticized the district’s performance.

Keen public interest in the issue prompted the Daily News to speak with Jackson and Gaetz, allowing each to share their perspective.